White Butterfly Discus
White Butterfly Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) is a beautiful freshwater fish type belonging to the cichlid family.
They are popular among aquarists for their striking white coloration and patterns.
This species is native to the Amazon Basin in South America, and it can be found in the river basins of Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.
This guideline will discuss everything you need to know about keeping White Butterfly Discus fish in your aquarium.
Characteristics
| Scientific Name | Symphysodon Aequifaciatus sp. |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cichliformes |
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Genus | Symphysodon |
| Species | S. aequifasciatus |
| Common Name | White Butterfly Discus, Discus |
| Average Adult Size | 8 inches (20 cm) |
| Temperature | 82 – 88 Deg F / 28 – 30 Deg C |
| pH | 6.0 – 8.0 |
| Origin | Amazon basin of S. America |
| Min. Tank Size | 40 gallon / 160 liter |
| Typical Tank Setup | Well planted with driftwood/bogwood and some rock work. |
| Compatibility | peaceful |
White Butterfly Discus Origin & Habitat
The White Butterfly Discus is a freshwater fish native to the Amazon Basin in South America.
It can be found in the river basins of Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.
White Butterfly Discus Appearance
Despite being simple, because of their white color, they are still one of the most popular and beautiful species.
White Butterfly discus has one bluish-white color and red or orange eyes. They have black lines on their faces and yellow tints on the top of their heads and tails.
As they mature, White Butterfly Discus fish can reach up to 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) in length.
How to Care for White Butterfly Discus?
1. Water Parameters
Water Changes
Maintaining high water quality is crucial for the white butterfly discus’ health. We recommend doing regular water changes of at least 25% a week.
Water Temperature
White Butterfly Discus are native to the Amazon basin of S. America, where the water is slightly warm.
So, to replicate their natural habitat, you should keep the water temperature in their aquarium between 82-88°F (28-30°C).
pH Range
When it comes to pH, White Butterfly Discus are not too fussy and can live in 6.0-8.0.
However, if you keep them at the lower end of this spectrum, ensure plenty of hiding spots and soft, sandy substrate to burrow into as they feel more comfortable in these conditions.
Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate
Toxins in your tank can be harmful to your fish and should be monitored regularly.
Ammonia and nitrite levels should always be at 0 ppm, while nitrate levels should not exceed 20 ppm.
Always check your water parameters before making a water change to ensure they are within the correct range.
2. Tank Setup
Tank Size
White Butterfly Discus are peaceful fish that can grow to a large size, so they need at least a 40-gallon ( 160 liters) tank.
If you plan on keeping more than one fish, you will need an even larger tank to provide them with enough space to swim and feel comfortable.
Decor
These species thrive well in a planted tank with driftwood/bogwood and some rock work. This is because driftwood and live plants offer them more shelter and aid in removing pollutants from the water.
White Butterfly Discus Diet
The White Butterfly Discus is picky when it comes to eating. However, they can be trained to accept almost any type of food.
When providing your discus with food, it is essential to supply them with high-quality foods that contain all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Some of the best foods for White Butterfly Discus include:
- Flakes
- Small pellets
- Frozen
- Live worms
- Brine shrimp
They will consume this food, but not always on the first try until they acclimate.
Note: Don’t feed your discus tubifex worms; they are a potential source of Hole-in-the-Head Disease (HITH), caused by poor water quality and feeding tubifex. They also have too many pathogens, making the risk of transferring illness to your discus too great.
White Butterfly Discus Compatibility
White Butterfly Discus is a peaceful fish, so you should keep them with other peaceful species, such as South American dwarf cichlids and tetras.
They can also be kept with other discus species, but should not be kept with aggressive fish that may bully them. These species flourish when maintained in a group of 6 or more.
White Butterfly Discus Breeding
You may be wondering how to breed White Butterfly Discus. Luckily, they are not difficult to breed in captivity if the right conditions are met.
To ensure a high success rate, you should have at least a pair of fish. But it’s best to have a group of 6 or more.
This will allow the female to choose the most compatible mate and provide the male with enough potential mates.
When they form pairs, the female will lay her eggs on broad-leafed plants like Amazon Swords or almost any vertical, flat surface that suits them. Then, the male will fertilize the eggs.
The fry (baby fish) will hatch after about 5-7 days and should be kept with the parents because they will ingest the slime produced by them. They will start to take finely crushed flake food or baby brine shrimp at two weeks of age.
White Butterfly Discus Diseases & Treatment
The most common disease of the White Butterfly Discus is Hole-in-the-head (HITH).
Causes
HITH is characterized by small holes that appear in the head and body of the fish, and it occurs because of a lack of nutrients in the diet and poor water quality.
Symptoms
- A small hole or holes form in the head of the fish
- Fish are white and often have yellowish mucous trailing from them
- Not Eating
Treatment
After being quarantined, you should treat the infected fish with octozin.
Prevention
- Do regular water changes
- Provide a proper diet for your fish.
- Quarantine new fish before adding them to your tank.
Last Words
The White Butterfly Discus is a peaceful and beautiful addition to any community aquarium. They are not difficult to care for but may be picky eaters.
If you are looking for a unique and beautiful fish, the White Butterfly Discus is the perfect fish!
We hope that you enjoyed reading this as much as we did. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
